Amendments adopted by the European Parliament on 13 December 2018 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Digital Europe programme for the period 2021-2027 (COM(2018)0434 – C8-0256/2018 – 2018/0227(COD))(1)

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

Draft legislative resolution

Amendment

Amendment 1Draft legislative resolutionCitation 3 a (new)

– having regard to the resolution of the European Parliament of 17 May 2017 on FinTech: the influence of technology on the future of the financial sector,

Amendment 2Proposal for a regulationRecital 4

(4) Pursuant to [reference to be updated as appropriate according to a new decision on OCTs: Article 88 of Council Decision / /EU53], persons and entities established in overseas countries and territories (OCTs) should be eligible for funding subject to the rules and objectives of the Programme and possible arrangements applicable to the Member State to which the relevant overseas country or territory is linked.

(4) Pursuant to [reference to be updated as appropriate according to a new decision on OCTs: Article 88 of Council Decision / /EU53], persons and entities established in overseas countries and territories (OCTs) should be eligible for funding subject to the rules and objectives of the Programme and possible arrangements applicable to the Member State to which the relevant overseas country or territory is linked. The constraints relating to the participation of overseas countries or territories must be taken into account when implementing the Programme, and their effective participation in the Programme must be monitored and regularly evaluated.

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53 Council Decision / /EU.

53 Council Decision / /EU.

Amendment 3Proposal for a regulationRecital 5

(5) Pursuant to paragraph 22 and 23 of the Inter-institutional agreement for Better Law-Making of 13 April 201654 , there is a need to evaluate this Programme on the basis of information collected through specific monitoring requirements, while avoiding overregulation and administrative burdens, in particular on Member States. These requirements, where appropriate, can include measurable indicators, as a basis for evaluating the effects of the Programme on the ground.

(5) Pursuant to paragraph 22 and 23 of the Inter-institutional agreement for Better Law-Making of 13 April 201654 , there is a need to evaluate this Programme on the basis of information collected through specific monitoring requirements, correlated to existing needs and complying with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council54a, while avoiding overregulation and administrative burdens for all beneficiaries, in particular on Member States and SMEs. These requirements should, where appropriate, include measurable quantitative and qualitative indicators, as a basis for evaluating the effects of the Programme on the ground.

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54 Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016; OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1–14.

54 Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016; OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1–14.

54a Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1).

Amendment 4Proposal for a regulationRecital 5 a (new)

(5 a) The Programme should ensure utmost transparency, accountability and democratic scrutiny of innovative financial instruments and mechanisms that involve the Union budget, especially as regards their contribution, both as regards initial expectations and end results made towards achieving Union objectives.

Amendment 5Proposal for a regulationRecital 6

(6) The Tallinn Digital Summit55 of September 2017 and the Conclusions of the European Council56 of 19 October 2017 indicated the need for Europe to invest in digitising our economies and addressing the skills gap to maintain and enhance European competitiveness, our quality of life and social fabric. The European Council concluded that the digital transformation offers immense opportunities for innovation, growth and jobs, will contribute to our global competitiveness, and enhance creative and cultural diversity. Seizing these opportunities requires collectively tackling some of the challenges posed by the digital transformation and reviewing policies affected by the digital transformation.

(6) The Tallinn Digital Summit55 of September 2017 and the Conclusions of the European Council56 of 19 October 2017 indicated the need for Europe to invest in efficient digitalisationof our economies and addressing the skills gap to maintain and enhance European competitiveness and innovation, our quality of life and social fabric. The European Council concluded that the digital transformation offers immense opportunities for innovation, growth and jobs, will contribute to our global competitiveness, and enhance creative and cultural diversity. Seizing these opportunities requires collectively tackling the challenges posed by the digital transformation in several ways, includingbyensuring that the essential building blocks on which new technologies rely are put in place, by creating effective and easily enforceable legal rules, by reviewing policies affected by the digital transformation, andby creating an innovation-friendly environment in which the interests of users are fully safeguarded. Optimally, the financial envelope for this Programme, a European level effort, shall be increased by significant private sector funds and contributions from the Member States.

(6a) The future of European society and the European economy will strongly rely on a harmonised and consistent spectrum policy, on 5G infrastructure, which will require an infrastructure objective regarding VHC networks, with the aim of providing high-quality and faster communication services; this is a prerequisite for the good implementation of the Programme. In this regard, the Programme should benefit of the good implementation of Connecting Europe Facility and in particular the Wif4EU initiative aiming to promote connectivity for citizens in the Union’s public spaces; the combination of those two programmes will maximise output and deliver on the Union targets of deliver reliable and consistent high-speed network coverage across the Union.

Amendment 7Proposal for a regulationRecital 7

(7) The European Council concluded in particular that the Union should urgently address emerging trends: this includes issues such as artificial intelligence and distributed ledgers technologies (e.g. blockchain), while at the same time ensuring a high level of data protection, digital rights and ethical standards. The European Council invited the Commission to put forward a European approach to artificial intelligence by early 2018 and called on the Commission to put forward the necessary initiatives for strengthening the framework conditions with a view to enable the EU to explore new markets through risk-based radical innovations and to reaffirm the leading role of its industry.

(7) The European Council concluded in particular that the Union should urgently address emerging trends: this includes issues such as digital divide, artificial intelligence, while at the same time ensuring a high level of data protection in full compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679, rights, fundamental rights and ethical standards. The European Council invited the Commission to put forward a European approach to artificial intelligence by early 2018 and called on the Commission to put forward the necessary initiatives for strengthening the framework conditions with a view to enable the EU to explore new markets through risk-based radical innovations and to reaffirm the leading role of its industry.

Amendment 8Proposal for a regulationRecital 7 a (new)

(7a) On 10 April 2018, Member States expressed their support and a joint will to cooperate together on initiatives on artificial intelligence and distributed ledger technologies (for example blockchain) infrastructure services by signing cooperation agreements.

Amendment 9Proposal for a regulationRecital 7 b (new)

(7b) For a successful implementation of this Programme, more is needed than following the trends. The Union needs to be committed to privacy-enabling technologies (i.e. cryptography and decentralised applications (DApps)) as well as increased investments in future-proof infrastructure (fibre-optic) networks) to enable a self-determined digitalised society.

Amendment 10Proposal for a regulationRecital 7 c (new)

(7c) Europe has to make decisive investments in its future, building strategic digital capacities in order to benefit from the digital revolution. A substantial budget (of at least EUR 9,2 billion) must be ensured at EU level for this purpose, which must be complemented by sizable investment efforts at national and regional level, namely with a consistent and complementary relationship with structural and cohesion funds.

Amendment 11Proposal for a regulationRecital 8

(8) The Commission's Communication on 'A new, modern Multiannual Financial Framework for a European Union that delivers efficiently on its priorities post-2020'57 outlines among the options for the future financial framework a programme for Europe's digital transformations to deliver 'strong progress towards smart growth in areas such as high quality data infrastructure, connectivity and cybersecurity'. It would seek to secure European leadership in supercomputing, next generation internet, artificial intelligence, robotics and big data. It would reinforce the competitive position of industry and businesses in Europe across the digitised economy and would have a significant impact on filling the skills gap across the Union.

(8) The Commission's Communication on 'A new, modern Multiannual Financial Framework for a European Union that delivers efficiently on its priorities post-2020'57 outlines among the options for the future financial framework a programme for Europe's digital transformations to deliver 'strong progress towards smart growth in areas such as high quality data infrastructure, connectivity cybersecurity and digitalization of public administrations. It would seek to secure European leadership in supercomputing, next generation internet, artificial intelligence, robotics and big data. It would reinforce the competitive position of industry and businesses in Europe across the digitised economy and would have a significant impact on bridging and filling the skills gap across the Union ensuring that European citizens have the necessary skills, competences and knowledge to face the digital transformation.

(8a) Whereas in view of the delay in developing the Union's strategic digital capacities and the efforts made to remedy this, a budget commensurate with the ambitions of this programme and of at least EUR 9,2 billion should be guaranteed.

Amendment 13Proposal for a regulationRecital 9

(9) The Communication “Towards a common European data space”58 , addresses the new measure to be taken as a key step towards a common data space in the EU - a seamless digital area with a scale that will enable the development of new products and services based on data.

(9) The Communication “Towards a common European data space”58 , addresses the new measure to be taken as a key step towards a common data space in the EU - a seamless digital area with a scale that will enable the development and innovation of new products and services based on data.

(9a) The Next Generation Internet initiative launched by the European Commission in 2017 should also provide ground for the implementation of the Programme as it aims towards a more open Internet with better services, more intelligence, greater involvement and participation, addressing technological opportunities arising from advances in various research fields, extending from new network architectures and software-defined infrastructures to new concepts for services and applications.

Amendment 15Proposal for a regulationRecital 10

(10) The general objective of the Programme should be to support the digital transformation of industry and to foster better exploitation of the industrial potential of policies of innovation, research and technological development, for the benefit of businesses and citizens all over the Union. The programme should be structured into five Specific Objectives reflecting key policy areas, namely: high-performance computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, advanced digital skills, and deployment, best use of digital capacities and interoperability. For all these areas, the Programme should also aim at better aligning Union, Member States and regional policies, and pooling of private and industrial resources in order to increase investment and develop stronger synergies.

(10) The general objective of the Programme should be to support the digital transformation of industry and to foster better exploitation of the industrial potential of policies of innovation, research and technological development as well as to modernise specific sectors of public interest, for the benefit of businesses, especially SMEs, and citizens all over the Union. Furthermore, the Programme should strengthen the Union's competiveness and the resilience of its economy.

Amendment 16Proposal for a regulationRecital 10 a (new)

(10a) There is a pressing need to support SMEs intending to harness the digital transformation in their production processes. Digital research and innovation will allow SMEs to contribute to the growth of the European economy through an efficient use of resources.

Amendment 17Proposal for a regulationRecital 10 b (new)

(10b) The Programme should be structured into five specific objectives reflecting key policy areas, namely: (a) high-performance computing, (b) artificial intelligence and distributed ledger technologies, (c) cybersecurity, (d) advanced digital skills, and (e) deployment, best use of digital capacities and interoperability. For all these areas, the Programme should also aim at better aligning Union, Member States and regional policies, and pooling of private and industrial resources in order to increase investment and develop stronger synergies.

Amendment 18Proposal for a regulationRecital 10 c (new)

(10c) Together with the general objective of digital transformation, the Programme should contribute to ensuring long-term strategic security objectives by building capacities and capabilities in the Union, giving priority to actions that increase the strategic potential and limit dependence on third countries suppliers and products, thereby securing the Union's economic and innovative competitiveness.

Amendment 19Proposal for a regulationRecital 11

(11) A central role in the implementation of the Programme should be attributed to Digital Innovation Hubs, which should stimulate the broad adoption of advanced digital technologies by industry, by public organisations and academia. A network of Digital Innovation Hubs should ensure the widest geographical coverage across Europe59 . A first set of Digital Innovation Hubs will be selected based on Member States’ proposals and then the network will be enlarged through an open and competitive process. The Digital Innovation Hubs will serve as access points to latest digital capacities including high performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, as well as other existing innovative technologies such as Key Enabling Technologies, available also in fablabs or citylabs. They shall act as single-entry points in accessing tested and validated technologies and promote open innovation. They will also provide support in the area of advanced digital skills. The network of Digital Innovation Hubs should also contribute to the participation of the outermost regions in the Digital Single Market.

(11) A central role in the implementation of the Programme should be attributed to European Digital Innovation Hubs, which should stimulate the broad adoption of advanced digital technologies by industry including SMEs , by public organisations and academia. A network of European Digital Innovation Hubs should ensure the widest geographical coverage across Europe59 . A first set of European Digital Innovation Hubs will be selected based on Member States’ proposals and then the network will be enlarged through an open, transparent and competitive process. The European Digital Innovation Hubs will serve as access points to latest digital capacities including high performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, as well as other existing innovative technologies such as Key Enabling Technologies, available also in fablabs or citylabs. They shall act as one-stop-shops in accessing tested and validated technologies and promote open innovation. They will also provide support in the area of advanced digital skills. The network of European Digital Innovation Hubs should also contribute to the participation of the outermost regions in the Digital Single Market and support the digital transformation in the overseas countries and territories.

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59 As indicated in the Communication on Digitising European Industry (COM(2016) 180 final)

59 As indicated in the Communication on Digitising European Industry (COM(2016) 180 final)

Amendment 20Proposal for a regulationRecital 11 a (new)

(11 a) In order to create synergies between investments under this Programme and Union research and development investments , in particular those under the Horizon Europe programme, European Digital Innovation Hubs should act as a platform to bring together industry, business and administrations which are in need of new technology solutions on one side, with companies, notably start-ups and SMEs, that have market-ready solutions on the other side.

Amendment 21Proposal for a regulationRecital 11 b (new)

(11b) The planning, development and procurement of the programme should be carried out with a view to enhancing Union capacities and competitiveness in the medium and long term. Priority should be given to actions that increase the strategic potential and competiveness of the Union which aim at limit the dependence on third countries suppliers and products. The participation of third countries to specific objectives of the Programme should therefore depend on the contribution such countries would make to the Union.

Amendment 22Proposal for a regulationRecital 12

(12) The Programme should be implemented through projects reinforcing essential digital capacities and their wide use. This should involve co-investments with Member States and, when needed, the private sector. This should notably require reaching a critical mass in procurement to obtain better value for money and guarantee that suppliers in Europe stay at the forefront of technology advancements.

(12) The Programme should be implemented through projects reinforcing essential digital capacities and the Union's strategic autonomy. To this end the programme should ensure an EU budget of at least EUR 9,2 billion complemented with co-investments from Member States and/or the private sector. This should notably require reaching a critical mass in procurement to obtain better value for money and guarantee that suppliers in Europe reach the forefront of technology advancements.

Amendment 23Proposal for a regulationRecital 14

(14) The Programme's actions should be used to address market failures or sub-optimal investment situations, in a proportionate manner, without duplicating or crowding out private financing and have a clear European added value.

(14) The Programme's actions should be used to reinforce and extend the Union's digital base, tackle major societal challenges, further raise the Union's digital industrial competences, as well as address market failures or sub-optimal investment situations, in a proportionate manner, without duplicating or crowding out private financing and have a clear European added value.

Amendment 24Proposal for a regulationRecital 15

(15) To achieve maximum flexibility throughout the lifetime of the programme and develop synergies between its components, each of the specific objectives may be implemented through all instruments available under the Financial Regulation. The delivery mechanisms to be used are direct management and indirect management when Union financing should be combined with other sources of financing or when execution requires the setup of commonly governed structures.

(15) To achieve maximum flexibility throughout the lifetime of the programme and develop synergies between its components, each of the specific objectives may be implemented through all instruments available under the Financial Regulation. The delivery mechanisms to be used are direct management and indirect management when Union financing should be combined with other sources of financing or when execution requires the setup of commonly governed structures. In cases of indirect management, the Commission will ensure that all quality and safety standards required for the direct management of the programme are maintained and respected.

Amendment 25Proposal for a regulationRecital 16

(16) The high performance computing and the related data processing capacities in the Union should allow to ensure wider use of high performance computing by industry and, more generally, in areas of public interest in order to seize unique opportunities that supercomputers bring to society as regards health, environment and security as well as competitiveness of industry, notably small and medium-sized enterprises.

(16) The high performance computing and the related data processing and storage capacities in the Union should allow to ensure wider use of high performance computing by industry and, more generally, in areas of public interest in order to seize unique opportunities that supercomputers bring to society as regards health, environment and security as well as competitiveness of industry, notably small and medium-sized enterprises. The Union needs to acquire world-class supercomputers, secure its supply system and deploy services for simulation, visualisation and prototyping while ensuring a HCP system in accordance with Union values and principles.

Amendment 26Proposal for a regulationRecital 17

(17) The support to the Union's intervention in this area was expressed by the Council60 and, by the European Parliament61 . Moreover, in 2017 nine Member States signed the EuroHPC Declaration62 , a multi-government agreement where they commit to collaborate with the Commission to build and deploy state-of-the-art HPC and data infrastructures in Europe that would be available across the Union for scientific communities, public and private partners.

(17) The support to the Union's intervention in this area was expressed by the Council60 and, by the European Parliament61 . Moreover, in 2017 nine Member States signed the EuroHPC Declaration62 , a multi-government agreement where they commit to collaborate with the Commission to build and deploy state-of-the-art HPC and data infrastructures in Europe that would be available across the Union for scientific communities, public and private partners and strengthening the EU-added value.

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Amendment 27Proposal for a regulationRecital 18

(18) For the high performance computing specific objective a joint undertaking is deemed the most suited implementation mechanism, in particular to coordinate national and Union strategies and investments in high performance computing infrastructure and research and development, pool resources from public and private funds, and safeguard the economic and strategic interests of the Union63 . Moreover, high performance computing competence centres in Member States will provide high performance computing services to industry, academia and public administrations.

(18) For the high performance computing specific objective a joint undertaking is deemed the most suited implementation mechanism, in particular to coordinate national and Union strategies and investments in high performance computing infrastructure and research and development, pool resources from public and private funds, and safeguard the economic and strategic interests of the Union63 . Moreover, high performance computing competence centres in Member States will provide high performance computing services to industry, including SMEs and start-ups, academia and public administrations established in the Union

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63 Impact Assessment accompanying the document "Proposal for a Council Regulation on establishing the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking" (https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/proposal-council-regulation-establishing-eurohpc-joint-undertaking-impact-assessment)

63 Impact Assessment accompanying the document "Proposal for a Council Regulation on establishing the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking" (https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/proposal-council-regulation-establishing-eurohpc-joint-undertaking-impact-assessment)

Amendment 28Proposal for a regulationRecital 19

(19) Developing capacity related to artificial intelligence is a crucial driver for the digital transformation of industry and also of the public sector . Ever more autonomous robots are used in factories, deep sea application, homes, cities and hospitals. Commercial artificial intelligence platforms have moved from testing to real applications in health and environment; all major car manufacturers are developing self-driving cars, and machine learning techniques are at the heart of all main web platforms and big data applications.

(19) Developing capacity related to artificial intelligence is a crucial driver for the digital transformation of industry and also of the public sector . Ever more autonomous robots are used in factories, deep sea application, homes, cities and hospitals. Commercial artificial intelligence platforms have moved from testing to real applications in health and environment; all major car manufacturers are developing self-driving cars, and machine learning techniques are at the heart of all main web platforms and big data applications. In order to create the best framework conditions for these new technologies to foster in Europe, the Union needs to add the innovation principle to its policy-making process.

Amendment 29Proposal for a regulationRecital 19 a (new)

(19a) In its resolution of 1 June 2017 on digitising European industry the European Parliament pointed out the impact of language barriers on industry and its digitisation. In this context the development of large-scale AI-based language technologies such as automatic translation, speech recognition, big data text analytics, dialog and question-answering systems are essential to preserve linguistic diversity, ensure inclusiveness and enable human-human and human-machine communication.

Amendment 30Proposal for a regulationRecital 19 b (new)

(19b) The increasingly rapid development of self-learning robots and artificial intelligence as well as their ability to multiply knowledge and learning content within seconds makes it difficult to predict any stage of development until the Programme’s termination in 2027. Consequently, the Commission should pay particular attention to this fast-evolving digital trend and, if applicable should swiftly adapt the objectives of the work programme, accordingly.

Amendment 31Proposal for a regulationRecital 19 c (new)

(19c) In light of European industry’s increasing demand for AI robotics solutions and the importance of avoiding a significant investment gap in this field, the Programme’s objectives on artificial intelligence should encompass robotics powered by artificial intelligence.

Amendment 32Proposal for a regulationRecital 19 d (new)

(19d) Products and services based on artificial intelligence should be user-friendly, legally compliant by default and provide consumers with more choice and more information, in particular on the quality of products and services.

Amendment 33Proposal for a regulationRecital 20

(20) The availability of large-scale data sets and testing and experimentation facilities are of major importance for the development of artificial intelligence.

(20) The availability of large-scale data sets and testing and experimentation facilities to secure the internal market where artificial intelligence is used and access to text and data mining are of major importance for the development of artificial intelligence, including language technologies.

Amendment 34Proposal for a regulationRecital 20 a (new)

(20a) On 25 April 2018, the Commission committed to propose a European approach by developing draft Artificial Intelligence guidelines in cooperation with stakeholders within the AI alliance, a group of artificial intelligence experts, in order to boost AI-powered applications and businesses in Europe.

Amendment 35Proposal for a regulationRecital 21

(21) In its resolution of 1 June 2017 on digitising European industry64 the European Parliament highlighted the importance of a common European cybersecurity approach, recognising the need to raise awareness and considered cyber-resilience as a crucial responsibility for business leaders and national and European industrial security policymakers.

(21) In its resolution of 1 June 2017 on digitising European industry64 the European Parliament highlighted the importance of a common European cybersecurity approach, recognising the need to raise awareness and considered cyber-resilience as a crucial responsibility for business leaders and national and European industrial security policymakers, as well as the implementation of security and privacy by default and by design.

(22) Cybersecurity is a challenge for the whole Union that cannot continue to be addressed only with fragmented national initiatives. Europe's cybersecurity capacity should be reinforced to endow Europe with the necessary capacities to protect its citizens and businesses from cyber threats. In addition consumers should be protected when using connected products that can be hacked and compromise their safety. This should be achieved together with Member States and private sector by developing, and ensuring coordination between, projects reinforcing Europe's capacities in cybersecurity and ensuring the wide deployment of latest cybersecurity solutions across the economy, as well as by aggregating the competences in this field to ensure critical mass and excellence.

(22) Cybersecurity is a challenge for the whole Union that cannot continue to be addressed only with fragmented national initiatives. Europe's cybersecurity capacity should be reinforced to endow Europe with the necessary capacities to protect citizens, public administrations and businesses from cyber threats. In addition consumers should be protected when using connected products that can be hacked and compromise their safety. This should be achieved together with Member States and private sector by developing, and ensuring coordination between, projects reinforcing Europe's capacities in cybersecurity and ensuring the wide deployment of latest cybersecurity solutions across the economy, as well as by aggregating the competences in this field to ensure critical mass and excellence.

Amendment 37Proposal for a regulationRecital 23

(23) In September 2017, the Commission put forward a package of initiatives65 setting out a comprehensive Union approach to cybersecurity, with the aim of reinforcing Europe’s capacities to deal with cyber-attacks and threats and to strengthen technology and industrial capacity in this field.

(23) In September 2017, the Commission put forward a package of initiatives65 setting out a comprehensive Union approach to cybersecurity, with the aim of reinforcing Europe’s capacities to deal with cyber-attacks, to increase cyber resilience and threats and to strengthen technology and industrial capacity in this field.

(23a) As a matter of principle, cybersecurity solutions should contain safety and security standards as core design parameters according to the available state-of-the-art technology and the principles of ‘security by design’ and ‘security by default’.

Amendment 39Proposal for a regulationRecital 24

(24) Trust is a prerequisite for the Digital Single Market to function. Cybersecurity technologies such as digital identities, cryptography or intrusion detection, and their application in areas such as finance, industry 4.0, energy, transportation, healthcare, or e-government are essential to safeguard the security and trust of online activity and transactions by both citizens, public administrations, and companies.

(24) Trust is a prerequisite for the Digital Single Market to function. Cybersecurity technologies such as distributed ledger technology, digital identities, cryptography,encryption or intrusion detection, and their application in areas such as finance, industry 4.0, logistics, energy, transportation, tourism, healthcare, or e-government are essential to safeguard the security, transparency and trust of online activity, including 5G platforms, and transactions by both citizens, public administrations, and companies.

Amendment 40Proposal for a regulationRecital 25

(25) The European Council in its conclusions of 19 October 2017 stressed that to successfully build a Digital Europe, the Union needs in particular labour markets, training and education systems fit for the digital age and that there is a need to invest in digital skills, to empower and enable all Europeans;

(25) The European Council in its conclusions of 19 October 2017 stressed that to successfully build a Digital Europe, the Union needs in particular labour markets, training and education systems fit for the digital age and that there is a need to invest in digital skills development and improve the digital literacy, to empower and enable all Europeans with an integrated approach.;

Amendment 41Proposal for a regulationRecital 26 a (new)

(26a) Considering the need for a holistic approach, the Programme should also take into account the areas of inclusion, qualification, training and specialization which, in addition to the advanced digital competences, are decisive for the creation of added value in the knowledge society.

Amendment 42Proposal for a regulationRecital 27

(27) In its resolution of 1 June 2017 on digitising European industry67 the European Parliament stated that education, training and lifelong learning are the cornerstone of social cohesion in a digital society.

(27) In its resolution of 1 June 2017 on digitising European industry67 the European Parliament stated that education, training and lifelong learning are the cornerstone of social cohesion in a digital society. It furthermore demanded that the gender perspective would be incorporated in all digital initiatives, emphasizing the need to address the severe gender gap within the ICT sector, since this is essential for Europe’s long-term growth and prosperity;

(27a) In its resolution of 28 April 2016 on gender equality and empowering women in the digital age, the European Parliament underlined the need of collecting gender-disaggregated data on the use of ICT, and of developing targets, indicators and benchmarks to track the progress of women's access to ICT and promote best practices examples among companies;

Amendment 44Proposal for a regulationRecital 27 b (new)

(27b) In its resolution of 21 December 2015, Towards a Digital Single Market Act, the European Parliament fully supported and encouraged a digital entrepreneurial culture for women, as well as their integration and participation in information society.

Amendment 45Proposal for a regulationRecital 28

(28) The advanced digital technologies supported by this Programme, such as high performance computing, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence are now sufficiently mature to move beyond the research arena and be deployed, implemented and scaled-up at Union level. Just as the deployment of these technologies require a Union response so does the skills dimension. Training opportunities in advanced digital skills need to be scaled up, increased and made accessible throughout the EU. Failing this could impede the smooth deployment of advanced digital technologies and hamper the overall competitiveness of Union's economy. The actions supported by this programme are complementary to those supported by the ESF, ERDF and Horizon Europe programmes.

(28) The advanced digital technologies supported by this Programme, such as high performance computing, cybersecurity cloud computing, data protection and information governance and artificial intelligence are now sufficiently mature to move beyond the research arena and be deployed, implemented and scaled-up at Union level. Just as the deployment of these technologies require a Union response so does the skills dimension. Learning and training opportunities in advanced digital skills need to be scaled up, increased and made accessible throughout the EU. Failing this could impede the smooth deployment of advanced digital technologies and hamper the overall competitiveness of Union's economy. The actions supported by this programme are complementary to those supported by the ESF, ERDF, ERASMUS and Horizon Europe programmes.

Amendment 46Proposal for a regulationRecital 29

(29) Modernising public administrations and services through digital means is crucial to reducing administrative burden on industry and on citizens in general by making their interactions with public authorities faster, more convenient and less costly, as well as by increasing the efficiency and the quality of the services provided to citizens and businesses. Since a number of services of public interest already have a Union dimension, the support to their implementation and deployment at Union level should ensure that citizens and businesses will benefit from the access to high quality digital services across Europe.

(29) Modernising public administrations and services through digital means is crucial to reducing administrative burden on citizens and industry by making their interactions with public authorities faster, more convenient and less costly, as well as by increasing the efficiency, transparency and the quality of the services provided to citizens and businesses while at the same time increasing the efficiency of public spending. Since a number of services of public interest already have a Union dimension, the support to their implementation and deployment at Union level should ensure that citizens and businesses may benefit from the access to high quality multilingual digital services across Europe. It is also important that these services be accessible to people with disabilities.

Amendment 47Proposal for a regulationRecital 29 a (new)

(29a) Digitalisation can facilitate and improve barrier-free accessibility for everyone, including older people, persons with reduced mobility or a disability, and those in remote or rural areas.

Amendment 48Proposal for a regulationRecital 30

(30) The digital transformation of the areas of public interest such as healthcare68 , mobility, justice, earth/environmental monitoring, education and culture requires the continuation and expansion of Digital Service Infrastructures, which make secure cross-border exchange of data possible and foster national development. Their coordination under this Regulation best achieves the potential for exploiting synergies.

(30) The digital transformation of the areas of public interest such as healthcare68 , mobility, justice, earth/environmental monitoring, security, reduction of carbon emissions, energy infrastructure, education and training and culture requires the continuation, upgrading and expansion of Digital Service Infrastructures, which make secure cross-border and cross-language exchange of data and information possible and foster national development. Their coordination under this Regulation best achieves the potential for exploiting synergies and ensuring complementarity. The digital transformation should nevertheless take into account that some citizens are not taking part - out of different reasons - in it and networks should be supported to continue informing those citizens, helping them to remain in full possession of their rights and participation to all social and civic duties.

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68 http://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/document.cfm?doc_id=51628

68 http://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/document.cfm?doc_id=51628

Amendment 49Proposal for a regulationRecital 30 a (new)

(30a) The digital transformation of this sector must in all circumstances allow EU citizens to access, use and manage their personal data securely across borders, irrespective of their location or the location of the data.

Amendment 50Proposal for a regulationRecital 30 b (new)

(30b) The deployment and access to advanced technologies in areas of public interest, such as education, also require training in skills necessary to make use of these technologies.Therefore the objectives included in Specific Objective 8 should also cover training programmes for those persons who will be using the advanced technologies.

Amendment 51Proposal for a regulationRecital 32

(32) The modernisation of European public administrations is one of the key priorities for successful implementation of the Digital Single Market Strategy. The mid-term evaluation of the Strategy highlighted the need to strengthen the transformation of public administrations and to ensure citizens have easy, trusted, and seamless access to public services.

(32) The modernisation of European public administrations is one of the key priorities for successful implementation of the Digital Single Market Strategy. The mid-term evaluation of the Strategy highlighted the need to strengthen the transformation of public administrations and to ensure citizens have easy, trusted, secure seamless and inclusive access to public services.

Amendment 52Proposal for a regulationRecital 33

(33) The Annual Growth Survey published by the Commission in 201769 shows that the quality of European public administrations has a direct impact on the economic environment and is therefore crucial to stimulating productivity, competitiveness, economic cooperation, growth and employment. In particular, efficient and transparent public administration and effective justice systems are necessary to support economic growth and deliver high quality services for firms and citizens.

(33) The Annual Growth Survey published by the Commission in 201769 shows that the quality of European public administrations has a direct impact on the economic environment and is therefore crucial to stimulating productivity, competitiveness, economic cooperation, sustainable growth, employment and high-quality work. In particular, efficient and transparent public administration and effective justice systems are necessary to support economic growth and deliver high quality services for firms and citizens.

(34) Interoperability of European public services concerns all levels of administration: Union, national, regional and local. Besides removing barriers to a functioning Single Market, interoperability facilitates successful implementation of policies and offers great potential to avoid cross-border electronic barriers, further securing the emergence of new, or the consolidation of developing, common public services at Union level. In order to eliminate fragmentation of European services, to support fundamental freedoms and operational mutual recognition in the EU, a holistic cross-sector and cross-border approach to interoperability should be promoted in the manner that is the most effective, and the most responsive to end-users. This implies that interoperability is to be understood in a broad sense, spanning from technical to legal layers and encompassing policy elements in the field. Accordingly, the span of activities would go beyond the usual lifecycle of solutions to include all the interventions elements that would support the necessary framework conditions for sustained interoperability at large.

(34) Interoperability of European public services concerns all levels of administration: Union, national, regional and local. Besides removing barriers to a functioning Single Market, interoperability facilitates cross-border co-operation, alignment of common standards, successful implementation of policies and offers great potential to avoid cross-border electronic and language barriers, to cut red tape, further securing the emergence of new, or the consolidation of developing, common public services at Union level as well as preventing unnecessary double-storage. In order to eliminate fragmentation of European services, to support fundamental freedoms and operational mutual recognition in the EU, a holistic, technology-neutral cross-sector and cross-border approach to interoperability should be promoted in the manner that is the most effective, and the most responsive to end-users and that ensures a high level of data protection. This implies that interoperability is to be understood in a broad sense, spanning from technical to legal layers and encompassing policy elements in the field. Accordingly, the span of activities would go beyond the usual lifecycle of solutions to include all the interventions elements that would support the necessary framework conditions for sustained interoperability at large.

Amendment 54Proposal for a regulationRecital 34 a (new)

(34a) On 6 October 2017, EU Ministers in Tallinn stated that the European digital strategy should be based on collaboration and interoperability, including the use of open licensing policies and open standards. The programme should, therefore, encourage open source solutions in order to allow reuse, increase trust and secure transparency. This will have a positive impact on the sustainability of funded projects.

Amendment 55Proposal for a regulationRecital 37

(37) In April 2016 the Commission adopted the Digitising European Industry initiative to ensure that "any industry in Europe, big or small, wherever situated and in any sector can fully benefit from digital innovations".71

(37) In April 2016, the Commission adopted the Digitising European Industry initiative to ensure that "any industry in Europe, big or small, wherever situated and in any sector can fully benefit from digital innovations". This is of particular relevance to small and medium enterprises in the cultural and creative sectors.

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Amendment 56Proposal for a regulationRecital 39

(39) Reaching the target objectives may require leveraging the potential of complementary technologies in the networking and computing domains, as stated in the Communication "Digitising European Industry"73 that recognises "availability of world class networking and cloud infrastructure" as an essential ingredient of industry digitisation.

(39) Reaching the target objectives may require leveraging the potential of complementary technologies in the networking and computing domains, as stated in the Communication "Digitising European Industry"73 that recognises "availability of world class networking and cloud infrastructure" as an essential component of industry digitisation.

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73COM (2016) 180 final: Digitising European Industry – Reaping the full benefits of a digital single market.

73COM (2016) 180 final: Digitising European Industry – Reaping the full benefits of a digital single market.

Amendment 57Proposal for a regulationRecital 40

(40) The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), applicable from May 2018 onwards, by providing for a single set of rules directly applicable in the Member States legal orders, will guarantee the free flow of personal data between EU Member States and reinforce trust and security of the individuals, two indispensable elements for a real Digital Single Market. The actions undertaken under this Programme, when they involve the processing of personal data, should therefore support the application of the GDPR, for instance in the field of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology.

(40) Regulation (EU) 2016/679 by providing for a single set of rules directly applicable in the Member States legal orders guarantees the free flow of personal data between EU Member States and reinforces trust and security of the individuals, two indispensable elements for a real Digital Single Market. All actions undertaken under this Programme, when they involve the processing of personal data, should therefore be in full compliance with that Regulation. They should especially support the development of digital technologies that comply with the ‘data protection by design’ obligations which are binding pursuant to that Regulation to the extent that the processing involves electronic communications data, due respect is to be paid to Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.1a

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1aDirective 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic communications) (OJ L 201, 31.7.2002, p. 37).

Amendment 58Proposal for a regulationRecital 41

(41) The Programme should be implemented in full respect of the international and EU framework of intellectual property protection and enforcement. The effective protection of intellectual property plays a key role in innovation and thus is necessary for the effective implementation of the Programme.

(41) The Programme should be implemented in full respect of the international and EU framework of intellectual property protection and enforcement. The effective protection of intellectual property plays a key role in innovation and maintaining European added value and thus is necessary for the effective implementation of the Programme.

Amendment 59Proposal for a regulationRecital 42

(42) Bodies implementing this Programme should comply with the provisions applicable to the Union institutions, and with national legislation regarding the handling of information, in particular sensitive non-classified information and EU classified information.

(42) To the extent that bodies implementing this Programme handle sensitive non-classified information or Union classified information, they should respect the relevant provisions laid down in Union acts or national legislation regarding the handling of information, as applicable.

Amendment 60Proposal for a regulationRecital 43

(43) Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Programme will contribute to mainstream climate actions and lead to the achievement of an overall target of 25% of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives74 . Relevant actions will be identified during the Programme's preparation and implementation, and reassessed in the context of the relevant evaluations and review processes.

(43) Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union’s obligations to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Programme will contribute to mainstream climate actions and helpleading to the achievement of an overall target of 25% of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives74 . Relevant actions should be identified during the Programme's preparation and implementation, and reassessed in the context of the relevant evaluations and review processes in order to ensure full compliance with these obligations.

(44) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission for the adoption of the work programmes so that the objectives of the Programme are achieved in accordance with the Union's and Member States' priorities while ensuring consistency, transparency and continuity of joint action by the Union and the Member States. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 182/201175 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by the Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers.

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75 Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13)

Amendment 62Proposal for a regulationRecital 45

(45) The work programmes should be adopted in principle as multi-annual work programmes, typically every two years, or, if justified by the needs related to the implementation of the programme, annual work programmes. The types of financing and the methods of implementation under this Regulation should be chosen on the basis of their ability to achieve the specific objectives of the actions and to deliver results, taking into account, in particular, the costs of controls, the administrative burden, and the expected risk of non-compliance. This should include consideration of the use of lump sums, flat rates and unit costs, as well as financing not linked to costs as referred to in Article 125(1) of the Financial Regulation.

(45) Work programmes should be adopted so that the objectives of the Programme are achieved in accordance with the Union's and Member States' priorities, while ensuring consistency, transparency and continuity of joint action by the Union and the Member States. The work programmes should be adopted in principle every two years, or, if justified by the needs related to the implementation of the programme, on an annual basis. The types of financing and the methods of implementation under this Regulation should be chosen on the basis of their ability to achieve the specific objectives of the actions and to deliver results, taking into account, in particular, the costs of controls, the administrative burden, and the expected risk of non-compliance. This should include consideration of the use of lump sums, flat rates and unit costs, as well as financing not linked to costs as referred to in Article 125(1) of the Financial Regulation.

Amendment 63Proposal for a regulationRecital 46

(46) The power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission concerning amendments to Annex II to review and/or complement the indicators. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts.

(46) The power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission concerning amendments to Annexes I andII to review and/or complement the indicators. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts.

Amendment 64Proposal for a regulationRecital 46 a (new)

(46a) In order to ensure, maintain and develop long term financing for the Digital Europe Programme it requires clear, common EU rules that are future-oriented and pro-competitive in order to drive investment and innovation and preserve affordability;

Amendment 65Proposal for a regulationRecital 47

(47) This Regulation respects fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Unions, notably those referred under Articles [8], [11], [16], [21], [35], [38] and [47] regarding the protection of personal data, the freedom of expression and information, the freedom to conduct business, the prohibition of discrimination, healthcare, consumer protection and the right to effective remedy and fair trial. The Member States must apply this Regulation in a manner consistent with these rights and principles’.

(47) Actions which fall within the scope of the Programme should respect fundamental rights and observe the principles acknowledged in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, notably those referred under Articles [8], [11], [16],[21], [22][35], [38], [41] and [47] regarding the protection of personal data, the freedom of expression and information, the freedom to conduct business, the prohibition of discrimination, linguistic diversity and right to communicate in any of the EU languages, healthcare, consumer protection and the right to effective remedy and fair trial. Such actions should be in conformity with any legal obligation including international law and with any relevant Commission decisions, as well as with ethical principles, which include avoiding any breach of research integrity.

Amendment 66Proposal for a regulationRecital 47 a (new)

(47 a) In April 2018, the Commission committed1ato set up a framework for stakeholders and experts to develop draft Artificial Intelligence guidelines in cooperation with the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies; the Commission will support national and EU-level consumer organisations and data protection supervising authorities in building an understanding of AI-powered applications with the input of the European Consumer Consultative Group and the European Data Protection Board.

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1aCommunication of 25.4.2018 on Artificial Intelligence for Europe, COM(2018)0237, available at:http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2018/0237/COM_COM(2018)0237_EN.pdf

Amendment 67Proposal for a regulationRecital 48

(48) Third countries which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA) may participate in Union programmes in the framework of the cooperation established under the EEA agreement, which provides for the implementation of the programmes by a decision under that agreement. A specific provision should be introduced in this Regulation to grant the necessary rights for and access to the authorizing officer responsible, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) as well as the European Court of Auditors to comprehensively exert their respective competences.

(e) 'Digital Innovation Hub' means legal entity designated or selected in an open and competitive procedure in order to fulfil the tasks under the Programme, in particular providing access to technological expertise and experimentation facilities, such as equipment and software tools to enable the digital transformation of the industry.

(e) 'European Digital Innovation Hub' means an existing or new legal entity or a consortium of legal entities designated or selected in an open, transparent and competitive procedure in order to fulfil the tasks under the Programme, in particular providing access to technological expertise and experimentation facilities, such as equipment and software tools to enable the digital transformation of the industry as well as facilitating access to finance. European Digital Innovation Hub shall be open to business of all forms and sizes, in particular to SMEs, scale-ups and public administrations across the Union.

European Digital Innovation Hubs shall act as one-stop-shops where companies - especially SMEs, start-ups and mid-caps – can get help to improve their business, production processes, products and services by means of digital technology that could result in added value. The Hubs will therefore create a decentralised network across the Union offering support to companies to ensure that their employees’ skills match the expertise required to handle the available digital technology. The Hubs shall also coordinate with education providers with a view to supporting training for students and on-the-job training for workers.

(fb) 'European Partnership' means an initiative where the Union, together with private and/or public partners (such as industry, research organisations, bodies with a public service mission at local, regional, national or international level or civil society organisations including foundations, SMEs organisations), commit to jointly support the development and implementation of digital innovation and technological deployment activities, including those related to market, regulatory or policy uptake;

1. The Programme has the following general objective: to support the digital transformation of the European economy and society and bring its benefits to European citizens and businesses. The Programme will:

1. The Programme has the following general objective: to support and to accelerate the digital transformation of the European economy, industry and society and to bring its benefits to European citizens, public services and businesses, as well as to reinforce the strategic autonomy and cohesion of the Union while securing competitiveness and reducing the digital divide. The Programme shall:

(b) widen their diffusion and uptake in areas of public interest and the private sector.

(b) widen their diffusion and uptake in the private sector and in areas of public interest, supporting their digital transformation and ensuring access to digital technologies;

Amendment 76Proposal for a regulationArticle 4 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) deploy, coordinate at the Union level and operate an integrated world-class exascale77 supercomputing and data infrastructure in the Union that shall be accessible on a non-commercial basis to public and private users and for publicly funded research purposes;

(a) deploy, coordinate at the Union level and operate an interoperable world-class exascale77 supercomputing and data infrastructure in the Union that shall be accessible to public and private users and for publicly and privately funded research purposes;

(b) deploy ready to use/operational technology resulting from research and innovation to build an integrated Union high performance computing ecosystem, covering all scientific and industrial value chain segments, including hardware, software, applications, services, interconnections and digital skills, ensuring a high level of security and data protection;

(c) deploy and operate a post-exascale78 infrastructure, including the integration with quantum computing technologies and develop new research infrastructures for computing science.

(c) deploy and operate a post-exascale78 infrastructure, including the integration with quantum computing technologies and develop new research infrastructures; encourage the development within the Union of the hardware and software necessary for such deployment , for computing science.

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78 A thousand times faster than exascale

78 A thousand times faster than exascale

Amendment 79Proposal for a regulationArticle 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. The actions under Specific Objective 1 shall be primarily implemented through the Joint Undertaking proposed by the Commission and endorsed by the Council of Ministers on 25 of June 2018 in accordance with Regulation (EU) ... of the European Parliament and of the Council1a.

Amendment 80Proposal for a regulationArticle 5 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) build up and strengthen core artificial intelligence capacities in the Union, including data resources and libraries of algorithms in compliance with data protection legislation;

(a) build up and strengthen core artificial intelligence capacities in the Union, including data resources and libraries of algorithms. In compliance with data protection legislation, AI-based solutions and resources made available shall respect the principle of privacy and security by design; and ensuring that humans remain at the centre of the development and deployment of Artificial intelligence,

(ca) to develop and reinforce industrial application and production systems, facilitating integration of technologies in value chains, development of innovative business models, and shortening the time passed from innovation to industrialisation; and to foster the take up of AI-based solution in areas of public interest and society

Amendment 83Proposal for a regulationArticle 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)

The actions under this specific objective Artificial Intelligence shall be implemented exclusively through direct management by the Commission or an executive agency on the basis of a cost-benefit analysis.

Amendment 84Proposal for a regulationArticle 5 – paragraph 1 b (new)

Actions carried out under Specific objective 2 shall comply with ethical principles and relevant national, Union and international laws, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the European Convention of Human Rights and the Protocol thereto. The Commission taking into account the recommendations of the High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence shall specify conditions related to ethical issues in the work programmes under Specific objective 2. The calls or the grant agreements shall include relevant conditions as set out in work programmes. An ethical review of each project shall be performed during the evaluation of each action. Actions that are not ethically acceptable or that do not fulfil the conditions agreement shall not be eligible for funding.

Amendment 85Proposal for a regulationArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) support, together with Member States, the procurement of advanced cybersecurity equipment, tools and data infrastructures in full compliance with data protection legislation;

(a) support, together with Member States, the procurement of advanced cybersecurity equipment, tools and data infrastructures in order to achieve a common high level of cybersecurity at the European level, in full compliance with data protection legislation and the fundamental rights while ensuring EU strategic autonomy

(d) reinforce capabilities within Member States and private sector to help them meet Directive (EU) 2016/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 concerning measures for a high common level of security of network and information systems across the Union79 .

(d) reinforce capabilities within Member States and private sector to help them meet Directive (EU) 2016/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 concerning measures for a high common level of security of network and information systems across the Union79including through measures aiming at developing a cybersecurity culture within organisations .

(da) improve resilience against cyber-attacks, to increase risk awareness and knowledge of basic security processes among users, particularly public services, SMEs and start-ups, to ensure that companies have basic levels of security, such as end-to-end encryption of data and communications and software updates, and to encourage the use of the security-by-design and by default knowledge of basic security processes as well as cyber-hygiene;

Amendment 90Proposal for a regulationArticle 6 – paragraph 1 a (new)

The actions under Specific objective 3 Cybersecurity and trust shall be primarily implemented through the European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre and the Cybersecurity Competence Network in accordance with [Regulation ..... of the European Parliament and of the Council1a].

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1aRegulation ..... of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre and the Network of National Coordination Centres

Amendment 92Proposal for a regulationArticle 7 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) support the design and delivery of long-term trainings and courses for students, IT professionals and the workforce;

(a) support the design and delivery of high quality long-term training courses including blended learning for students, teachers, educators, IT professionals, researchers and the workforce including public servants, in collaboration with schools, universities and research centres;

(b) support the design and delivery of short-term trainings and courses for entrepreneurs, small business leaders and the workforce;

(b) support the design and delivery of high quality short-term trainings and courses including blended learning for entrepreneurs, small business and start-up leaders, and the workforce including public servants and self-employed;

(c) support on-the-job trainings and traineeships for students, young entrepreneurs and graduates.

(c) support high quality on-the-job trainings, including blended learning and traineeships for students, young entrepreneurs and graduates.

Amendment 95Proposal for a regulationArticle 7 – paragraph 1 a (new)

The actions under Specific objective 4 Advanced Digital Skills shall be primarily implemented through direct management by the European Commission. The European Digital Innovation Hubs may act as facilitators for training opportunities, advising companies and liaising with the appropriate competence centres to ensure the widest geographical coverage across the Union .

The financial intervention by the Union under Specific Objective 5. Deployment, best use of digital capacities and Interoperability shall achieve the following operational objectives:

The financial intervention by the Union under Specific Objective 5. Deployment, best use of digital capacities and Interoperability shall achieve the following operational objectives complementing the digital infrastructure actions to that end while reducing the digital divide:

Amendment 97Proposal for a regulationArticle 8 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) ensure that the public sector and areas of public interests, such as health and care, education, judiciary, transport, energy, environment, cultural and creative sectors, can deploy and access state-of-the-art digital technologies, in particular high performance computing, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity;

(a) ensure that the public sector and areas of public interests, such as health and care, education, judiciary, transport and communication energy, environment, cultural and creative sectors, as well business established within the Union can effectively deploy and have the necessary skills through training to use access state-of-the-art digital technologies, in particular high performance computing, language technology, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity

(b) deploy, operate and maintain trans-European interoperable Digital Service Infrastructures (including related services) in complementarity with national and regional actions;

(b) deploy, operate and maintain trans-European interoperable state of the art Digital Service Infrastructures across the Union (including related services) in complementarity with national and regional actions;

(c) facilitate the development, update and use of solutions and frameworks by European public administrations, businesses and citizens, including the re-use of interoperability solutions and frameworks;

(c) facilitate the development, update and use of solutions and frameworks by European public administrations, businesses and citizens, including open source and the re-use of interoperability solutions and frameworks;

(e) support the uptake of advanced digital and related technologies, including in particular high performance computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and future emerging technologies by the Union industry, notably SMEs;

(f) support the design, testing, implementation and deployment of interoperable digital solutions for EU level public services delivered through a data-driven reusable solutions platform, fostering innovation and establishing common frameworks in order to unleash the full potential of the public administrations’ services for European citizens and businesses;

(f) support the design, maintain, testing, implementation and deployment of interoperable digital solutions for EU level public services delivered through a data-driven reusable solutions platform, fostering innovation and establishing common frameworks in order to unleash the full potential of the public administrations’ services for European citizens and businesses;

(g) ensure a continuous capacity at the Union level to observe, analyse and adapt to fast-evolving digital trends, as well as sharing and mainstreaming best practices;

(g) ensure a continuous capacity at the Union level to spearhead digital development, in addition to observe, analyse and adapt to fast-evolving digital trends, as well as sharing and mainstreaming best practices and facilitating cross-fertilisation between the different national initiatives, leading to the development of the digital society thanks to a permanent cooperation among all actors involved at EU level;

(h) support cooperation towards achieving a European ecosystem for trusted infrastructures using distributed ledger services and applications, including support for interoperability and standardisation and fostering the deployment of EU cross-border applications;

(h) support cooperation towards achieving a European ecosystem for trusted infrastructures using inter alia distributed ledger services and applications, including support for interoperability and standardisation and fostering the deployment of EU cross-border applications based on security and privacy by design, guaranteeing data protection and consumer safety;

Amendment 105Proposal for a regulationArticle 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)

The actions under Specific objective 5 Deployment, best use of digital capacities and Interoperability shall be primarily implemented through direct management by the European Commission. The European Digital Innovation Hubs and competence centres may act as facilitators.

Amendment 106Proposal for a regulationArticle 9 – paragraph 1

1. The financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period 2021−2027shall be EUR 9 194 000 000 in current prices.

1. The financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period 2021−2027shall be EUR 8 192 391 000 in 2018 prices (EUR 9 194 000 000 in current prices).

Amendment 107Proposal for a regulationArticle 9 – paragraph 2 – point a

(e) up to EUR 1 299 152 000 for Specific Objective 5, Deployment, best use of digital capacities and Interoperability

(e) up to EUR 1 157 620 312 in 2018 prices (EUR 1 299 152 000 in current prices) for Specific Objective 5, Deployment, best use of digital capacities and Interoperability

Amendment 112Proposal for a regulationArticle 9 – paragraph 5

5. Resources allocated to Member States under shared management may, at their request, be transferred to the Programme. The Commission shall implement those resources directly in accordance with point (a) of Article 62(1) of the Financial Regulation or indirectly in accordance with point (c) of that Article. Where possible those resources shall be used for the benefit of the Member State concerned.

5. Resources allocated to Member States under shared management may, at their request, be transferred to the Programme. The Commission shall implement those resources directly in accordance with point (a) of Article 62(1) of the Financial Regulation or indirectly in accordance with point (c) of that Article. Where possible those resources shall be used to the maximum extent possible for the benefit of the Member State concerned.

1. Members of the European Free Trade Association, which are members of the European Economic Area, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the European Economic Area agreement;

1. The programme shall be open to Members of the European Free Trade Association, which are members of the European Economic Area, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the European Economic Area agreement;

2. Acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates , in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for their participation in Union programmes established in the respective framework agreements and Association Council Decisions, or similar agreements, and in accordance with the specific conditions laid down in agreements between the Union and them;

2. Full or partial association to the programme of third countries that are not referred to in paragraph 1 shall be based on a case by case assessment of the Specific objectives, in accordance with the conditions laid down in a specific agreement covering the participation of the third country to any Union programme, provided that this specific agreement fully respects the following criteria:

— the participation of the third country is in the interest of the Union;

— the participation contributes to achieving the objectives lay down in article 3;

— the participation does not raise any security concerns and fully respects the relevant security requirements lay down in article 12;

— the agreement ensures a fair balance as regards the contributions and benefits of the third country participating in the Union programmes;

— the agreement lays down the conditions of participation in the programmes, including the calculation of financial contributions to individual programmes and their administrative costs. These contributions shall constitute assigned revenues in accordance with Article [21(5)] of [the new Financial Regulation];

— the agreement does not confer to the third country a decisional power on the programme;

— the agreement guarantees the rights of the Union to ensure sound financial management and to protect its financial interests.

2a. When preparing the work programmes, the European Commission or other relevant implementing bodies, shall assess on a case-by-case basis whether the conditions laid down in the agreement referred to in paragraph 2 are met for the actions included in the work programmes.

3. Countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy, in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for the participation of those countries in Union programmes established in the respective framework agreements and Association Council Decisions, or similar agreements, and in accordance with the specific conditions laid down in agreements between the Union and those countries;

4. Third countries in accordance with the conditions laid down in a specific agreement covering the participation of the third country to any Union programme, provided that the agreement

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— ensures a fair balance as regards the contributions and benefits of the third country participating in the Union programmes;

— lays down the conditions of participation in the programmes, including the calculation of financial contributions to individual programmes and their administrative costs. These contributions shall constitute assigned revenues in accordance with Article [21(5)] of [the new Financial Regulation] ;

— does not confer to the third country a decisional power on the programme;

— guarantees the rights of the Union to ensure sound financial management and to protect its financial interests.

Amendment 119Proposal for a regulationArticle 11 – paragraph 2

2. The cooperation with third countries and organisations mentioned in paragraph 1 under Specific Objective 3. Cybersecurity and Trust shall be subject to Article [12].

2. The cooperation with third countries and organisations mentioned in paragraph 1 under Specific Objectives 1, High Performance Computing, 2 Artificial intelligence and 3. Cybersecurity and Trust shall be subject to Article [12].

Amendment 120Proposal for a regulationArticle 12 – paragraph 5

5. The work programme may also provide that legal entities established in associated countries and legal entities established in the EU but controlled from third countries are not eligible for participation in all or some actions under Specific Objective 3 for security reasons. In such cases calls for proposals and calls for tenders shall be restricted to entities established or deemed to be established in Member States and controlled by Member States and/or nationals of Member States.

5. The work programme may also provide that legal entities established in associated countries and legal entities established in the EU but controlled from third countries are not eligible for participation in all or some actions under Specific Objectives 1, 2 and 3 for strategic and security reasons. In such cases calls for proposals and calls for tenders shall be restricted to entities established or deemed to be established in Member States and controlled by Member States and/or nationals of Member States.

5a. Actions including the transfer of technology outside the Union shall not be permitted. With a view to ensuring long term strategic security objectives, an opportunity evaluation shall be carried out in respect of the participation of entities which have their main establishment outside the Union.

5 b. Where appropriate the Commission or the funding body may carry out security checks, actions which do not comply with security rules may be excluded or terminated at any time.

Amendment 123Proposal for a regulationArticle 13 – paragraph 1

1. The Programme is designed to be implemented enabling synergies, as further described in Annex III, with other Union funding programmes, in particular through arrangements for complementary funding from EU programmes where management modalities permit; either in sequence, in an alternating way, or through the combination of funds including for the joint funding of actions.

1. The Programme is designed to be implemented enabling synergies, as further described in Annex III, with other Union funding programmes, in particular through arrangements for complementary funding from EU programmes where management modalities permit; either in sequence, in an alternating way, or through the combination of funds including for the joint funding of actions. The Commission shall ensure that when leveraging the complementary character of the programme with other European funding programmes, in particular ESIF, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Horizon Europe and Connecting Europe Facility (CEF-2), investEU, Erasmus, European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) the achievement of Specific objectives 1 to 5 are not hampered.

The Commission shall look into ways of improving the overall efficiency of programmes offering resources in the field of digitalisation.

Amendment 124Proposal for a regulationArticle 13 – paragraph 2

2. Appropriate mechanisms of coordination between relevant authorities and appropriate monitoring tools shall be established to systematically ensure synergies between the Programme and any relevant EU funding instruments. The arrangements shall contribute to avoiding duplications and maximising impact of expenditure.

2. Appropriate mechanisms of coordination between relevant authorities and between authorities and the European Commission and appropriate monitoring tools shall be established to systematically ensure synergies between the Programme and any relevant EU funding instruments. The arrangements shall contribute to avoiding duplications and maximising impact of expenditure.

Amendment 125Proposal for a regulationArticle 14 – paragraph 2

2. The Programme may provide funding in any of the forms laid down in the Financial Regulation, including notably procurement as a primary form as well as grants and prizes. It may also provide financing in the form of financial instruments within blending operations.

2. The Programme may provide funding in any of the forms laid down in the Financial Regulation, including notably procurement by the Commission or funding body, by grant beneficiaries individually or jointly as a primary form of the action as well as grants and prizes. Procurements may authorise the award of multiple contracts within the same procedure and may provide for place of performance conditions in line with applicable international procurement agreements.The Programme may also provide financing in the form of financial instruments within blending operations.

Amendment 126Proposal for a regulationArticle 15 – paragraph 1

The Programme may be implemented through European Partnerships. This may include in particular contributions to existing or new public-private partnerships in the form of joint undertakings established under Article 187 TFEU. For these contributions, provisions relating to European Partnerships under [Horizon Europe Regulation, ref to be added] apply.

The Programme may be implemented through European Partnerships agreed within the Strategic programming Process between the Commission and the Member States. This may include in particular contributions to existing or new public-private partnerships in the form of joint undertakings established under Article 187 TFEU. For these contributions, provisions relating to European Partnerships under [Horizon Europe Regulation, ref to be added] apply.

(a) Be established in cases where they will more effectively achieve objectives of Digital Europe Programme than the Union alone;

(b) Adhere to the principles of Union added value, transparency, openness, impact, leverage effect, long-term financial commitment of all the involved parties, flexibility, coherence and complementarity with Union, local, regional national and international initiatives;

(c) Be time limited and include conditions for phasing-out the Programme funding.

Provisions and criteria for their selection, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and phasing-out are set out in (Reference to be added).

Amendment 129Proposal for a regulationArticle 16 – title

Digital Innovation Hubs

European Digital Innovation Hubs

Amendment 130Proposal for a regulationArticle 16 – paragraph 1

1. During the first year of the implementation of the Programme, an initial network of Digital Innovation Hubs shall be established.

1. During the first year of the implementation of the Programme, an initial network of European Digital Innovation Hubs shall be established on existing infrastructure and shall be at least one European Digital Innovation Hub per Member State.

2. For the purpose of the establishment of the network mentioned in paragraph 1, each Member State shall designate candidate entities through an open and competitive process, on the basis of the following criteria:

2. For the purpose of the establishment of the network mentioned in paragraph 1, each Member State shall designate candidate entities through an open, transparent, inclusive and competitive process, on the basis of the following criteria:

Amendment 132Proposal for a regulationArticle 16 – paragraph 2 – point a

(a) appropriate competences related to the functions of the Digital Innovation Hubs;

(a) appropriate competences related to the functions of the European Digital Innovation Hubs;

2a. The detailed conditions to be fulfilled in order to be designated as 'European Digital Innovation Hub' and the tasks to be executed, shall be harmonised and published in due time in order to allow for proper preparation and implementation of the actions.

3. The Commission shall adopt a decision on the selection of entities forming the initial network. These entities shall be selected by the Commission from candidate entities designated by Member States on the basis of the criteria mentioned in paragraph 2 and the following additional criteria:

3. The Commission shall adopt a decision on the selection of entities forming the initial network. These entities shall be selected and clearly identified by the Commission from candidate entities designated by Member States on the basis of the criteria mentioned in paragraph 2 and the following additional criteria:

(b) the need to ensure by the initial network a coverage of the needs of industry and areas of public interest and a comprehensive and balanced geographical coverage.

(b) the need to ensure by the initial network a coverage of the needs of industry and areas of public interest and a comprehensive and balanced geographical coverage, improving convergence and contribute to fill the gap between the cohesion countries and the other Member States and to decrease the digital divide in geographical terms.

Amendment 139Proposal for a regulationArticle 16 – paragraph 4

4. Additional Digital Innovation Hubs shall be selected on the basis of an open and competitive process, in such a way to ensure the widest geographical coverage across Europe. The number of entities of the network shall be proportional to the population of a given Member States and there shall be at least one Digital Innovation Hub per Member State. To address the specific constraints faced by the EU outermost regions, specific entities may be nominated to cover their needs.

4. Additional European Digital Innovation Hubs shall be selected on the basis of an open, transparent and competitive process, in such a way to ensure the widest geographical coverage across Europe. The number of entities of the network shall be proportional to the population of a given Member States. To address the specific constraints faced by the EU outermost regions, additional Innovation Hubs may be selected in those regions.

Amendment 140Proposal for a regulationArticle 16 – paragraph 5

5. The Digital Innovation Hubs may receive funding in the form of grants.

5. The European Digital Innovation Hubs shall be clearly identified by means of specific indications and receive funding in the form of grants.

6. The Digital Innovation Hubs which receive funding shall be involved in the implementation of the Programme to:

6. The European Digital Innovation Hubs which receive funding shall be involved in the implementation of the Programme to:

Amendment 142Proposal for a regulationArticle 16 – paragraph 6 – point a

(a) provide digital transformation services - including testing and experimentation facilities - targeted towards SMEs and midcaps, also in sectors that are slow in the uptake of digital and related technologies;

(a) provide digital transformation services and technological expertise including testing and experimentation facilities - targeted towards start-ups, SMEs and midcaps, also in sectors that are slow in the uptake of digital and related technologies;

Amendment 143Proposal for a regulationArticle 16 – paragraph 6 – point a a (new)

(aa) support companies, especially SMEs and start-ups, organisations and public administrations to become more competitive and improve their business models through use of new technologies covered by the Programme

(b) transfer expertise and know-how between regions, in particular by networking SMEs and midcaps established in one region with Digital Innovation Hubs established in other regions which are best suited to provide relevant services;

(b) transfer expertise and know-how between regions, in particular by networking SMEs, start-ups and midcaps established in one region with European Digital Innovation Hubs established in other regions which are best suited to provide relevant services; encourage exchanges of skills, joint initiatives and good practices;

(c) provide thematic services, including services related to artificial intelligence, high performance computing and cybersecurity and trust to the administrations, public sector organisations, SMEs and midcaps. Individual Digital Innovation Hubs may specialise in specific thematic services and do not need to provide all thematic services mentioned in this paragraph;

(c) provide thematic services, including services related to artificial intelligence, high performance computing and cybersecurity and trust to the administrations, public sector organisations, SMEs, and start-ups and midcaps. Individual European Digital Innovation Hubs may specialise in specific thematic services and do not need to provide all thematic services mentioned in this paragraph;

6a. The European Digital Innovation Hubs may also cooperate with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology in particular the EIT Digital as well as the Digital Innovation Hubs set up under Horizon 2020.

6b. The European Digital Innovation Hubs may carry out the activities of the Digital Innovation Hubs set up under the Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation, including the Innovation Hubs of the EIT Digital

Amendment 148Proposal for a regulationArticle 17 – paragraph 1

1. Only actions contributing to the achievement of the objectives referred to in Article [3] and Articles [4]-[8] shall be eligible for funding.

1. Only actions contributing to the achievement of the objectives referred to in Article [3] and Articles [4]-[8] shall be eligible for funding in accordance with the general objectives set out in Annex I.

Amendment 149Proposal for a regulationArticle 18 – paragraph 2 – point a – point ii

(ii) a third countries associated with the Programme;

(ii) a third countries associated with the Programme in accordance with articles 10 and 12;

Amendment 150Proposal for a regulationArticle 18 – paragraph 3

3. Legal entities established in a third country which is not associated to the Programme are exceptionally eligible to participate in specific actions where this is necessary for the achievement of the objectives of the Programme.

3. Legal entities established in a third country which is not associated to the Programme are exceptionally eligible to participate in specific actions where this is necessary for the achievement of the objectives of the Programme, and when it does do not imply additional security risks for the Union or put in question the Union's strategic autonomy.

4. Natural persons may be eligible for grants awarded under Specific Objective 4. Advanced digital skills. Third country nationals may be eligible provided that they reside within the Union.

Amendment 152Proposal for a regulationArticle 19 – paragraph 1

Grants under the Programme shall be awarded and managed in accordance with Title VIII of the Financial Regulation.

Grants under the Programme shall be awarded and managed in accordance with Title VIII of the Financial Regulation and may cover up to 100% of the eligible costs on duly justified reasons, without prejudice of the co-financing principle; and in accordance with the specification under each objective.

(hc) where applicable, a reduction of digital divide between regions, citizens or business.

Amendment 159Proposal for a regulationArticle 21 – paragraph 1

Blending operations decided under this Programme shall be implemented in accordance with the [InvestEU regulation] and Title X of the Financial Regulation.

Blending operations decided under this Programme shall be implemented in accordance with the [InvestEU regulation] and Title X of the Financial Regulation. The amount of expenditure from this programme to be blended with a financial instrument shall be non-refundable.

2a. Where an action has already been awarded or has received contributions from another Union programme or support from an EU fund, that contribution or support shall be listed in the application for a contribution under the Programme.

Amendment 161Proposal for a regulationArticle 23 – paragraph 3

3. The first multiannual work programme shall focus on the activities set out in the Annex and ensure that the actions thereby supported do not crowd out private financing. Subsequent work programmes may include activities not set out in the Annex provided that they are consistent with the objectives of this Regulation, as set out in Articles [4 – 8].

3. The work programmes shall focus on the activities set out in the Annex I and ensure that the actions thereby supported do not crowd out private financing.

3a. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 27 to amend Annex I to review or complement the activities set out therein in a manner consistent with the objectives of this Regulation as set out in articles 4 - 8.

Amendment 163Proposal for a regulationArticle 24 – paragraph 1

1. Indicators to monitor the implementation and progress of the Programme in achieving the general and specific objectives set out in Article 3 are set in the Annex II.

1. Measurable indicators to monitor the implementation and progress of the Programme in achieving the general and specific objectives set out in Article 3 are set in the Annex II.

1a. The Commission shall define a methodology to provide for measurable indicators for an accurate assessment of the progress towards achieving the general objectives set out in Article 3(1). On the basis of this methodology the Commission shall complement Annex III at the latest by 1st January 2021.

Amendment 165Proposal for a regulationArticle 24 – paragraph 2

2. To ensure effective assessment of progress of the Programme towards the achievement of its objectives, the Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 27 to amend Annex II to review or complement the indicators where considered necessary and to supplement this Regulation with provisions on the establishment of a monitoring and evaluation framework.

2. To ensure effective assessment of progress of the Programme towards the achievement of its objectives, the Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 27 to amend Annex II to review or complement the measurable indicators where considered necessary and to supplement this Regulation with provisions on the establishment of a monitoring and evaluation framework.

Amendment 166Proposal for a regulationArticle 24 – paragraph 3

3. The performance reporting system shall ensure that data for monitoring programme implementation and results are collected efficiently, effectively, and in a timely manner. To that end, proportionate reporting requirements shall be imposed on recipients of Union funds and Member States.

3. The performance reporting system shall ensure that data for monitoring programme implementation and results are suitable for an in-depth analysis of the progress achieved and the difficulties encountered and are collected efficiently, effectively, and in a timely manner. To that end, proportionate reporting requirements shall be imposed on recipients of Union funds and Member States.

Amendment 167Proposal for a regulationArticle 24 – paragraph 4

4. Official EU statistics such as regular ICT statistical surveys shall be used to their maximum. National Statistical Institutes shall be consulted on, and involved together with Eurostat, in the initial design and subsequent development of statistical indicators used for monitoring the implementation of the programme and the progress made with regard to digital transformation.

4. Official EU statistics such as regular ICT statistical surveys shall be used in the most efficient manner possible, as well as collection of DESI datasets at NUTS-2 to help address the lack of Digital Europe related regional data. National Statistical Institutes shall be consulted on, and involved together with Eurostat, in the initial design and subsequent development of statistical indicators used for monitoring the implementation of the programme and the progress made with regard to digital transformation.

Amendment 168Proposal for a regulationArticle 25 – title

Evaluation

Programme Evaluation

Amendment 169Proposal for a regulationArticle 25 – paragraph 1

1. Evaluations shall be carried out in a timely manner to feed into the decision-making process.

1. The Commission shall ensure regular monitoring and external evaluation of the Programme, based notably on the performance reporting system as referred to in Article 24, paragraph 3. The evaluations shall also provide for a qualitative assessment of the progress towards achieving the general objectives set out in Article 3(1).

Amendment 170Proposal for a regulationArticle 25 – paragraph 2

2. The interim evaluation of the Programme shall be performed once there is sufficient information available about the implementation of the Programme, but no later than four years after the start of the implementation of the Programme.

2. In addition to regularly monitoring the Programme, the Commission shall establish an interim evaluation report and shall submit it to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions no later than 31 December 2024. The interim evaluation shall present the findings necessary to make a decision about a follow-up to the Programme beyond 2027 and its objectives.

The interim evaluation shall be submitted to the European Parliament.

Amendment 171Proposal for a regulationArticle 25 – paragraph 3

3. At the end of the implementation of the Programme, but no later than four years after the end of the period specified in Article [1], a final evaluation of the Programme shall be carried out by the Commission.

3. On the basis of a final external and independent evaluation, the Commission shall establish a final evaluation report of the Programme, which assesses its longer-term impacts and its sustainability.

4a. The Commission shall submit the final evaluation report referred to in paragraph 3 to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions no later than 31 December 2030.

Amendment 173Proposal for a regulationArticle 25 – paragraph 5

5. The Commission shall communicate the conclusions of the evaluations accompanied by its observations, to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.

deleted

Amendment 174Proposal for a regulationArticle 26 – paragraph 4

4. As part of the control system, the audit strategy may be based on the financial audit of a representative sample of expenditure. That representative sample shall be complemented by a selection based on an assessment of the risks related to expenditure.

4. As part of the control system, the audit strategy shall be based on the financial audit of at least a representative sample of expenditure. That representative sample shall be complemented by a selection based on an assessment of the risks related to expenditure.

Amendment 175Proposal for a regulationArticle 27 – paragraph 2

2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 24 shall be conferred on the Commission until 31 December 2028.

2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Articles 23 and 24 shall be conferred on the Commission until 31 December 2028.

Amendment 176Proposal for a regulationArticle 27 – paragraph 3

3. The delegation of power referred to in Article 24 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.

3. The delegation of power referred to in Articles 23 and 24 may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.

Amendment 177Proposal for a regulationArticle 27 – paragraph 6

6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to article 24 shall enter into force if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.

6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Articles 23 and 24 shall enter into force if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.

Amendment 178Proposal for a regulationArticle 29 – paragraph 1

1. The recipients of Union funding shall acknowledge the origin and ensure the visibility of the Union funding (in particular when promoting the actions and their results) by providing coherent, effective and proportionate targeted information to multiple audiences, including the media and the public.

1. The recipients of Union funding shall acknowledge the origin and ensure the visibility of the Union funding (in particular when promoting the actions and their results) by providing coherent, truthful, effective and proportionate targeted information to multiple audiences, including the media and the public.

Amendment 179Proposal for a regulationArticle 29 – paragraph 2

2. The Commission shall implement information and communication actions relating to the Programme, and its actions and results. Financial resources allocated to the Programme shall also contribute to the corporate communication of the political priorities of the Union, as far as they are related to the objectives referred to in Article [3].

2. The Commission shall implement information and communication actions relating to the Programme, and its actions and results. It shall also ensure integrated information and access to potential applicants to Union funding in the digital sector. Financial resources allocated to the Programme shall also contribute to the corporate communication of the political priorities of the Union, as far as they are related to the objectives referred to in Article [3].

1. A joint procurement framework for an integrated network of world-class HPC including exascale supercomputing and data infrastructure. It will be accessible on a non-economic basis to public and private users and for publicly funded research purposes.

1. A joint procurement framework for an integrated network of world-class HPC including exascale supercomputing and data infrastructure. It will be accessible to all businesses and public administrations, and on a non-economic basis to public and private users and for publicly funded research purposes.

6. The deployment of ready to use/operational technology: supercomputing as a service resulting from R&amp;I to build an integrated European HPC ecosystem, covering all scientific and industrial value chain segments (hardware, software, applications, services, interconnections and advanced digital skills).

6. The deployment of ready to use/operational technology: supercomputing as a service resulting from R&amp;I, in particular new technologies that have previously benefitted or that currently benefit from Union funding, to build an integrated European HPC ecosystem, covering all scientific and industrial value chain segments(hardware, software, applications, services, interconnections and advanced digital skills).

Amendment 182Proposal for a regulationAnnex 1 – part 2 – paragraph 1

The Programme shall build up and strengthen core Artificial Intelligence capacities in Europe including data resources and repositories of algorithms and making them accessible by all businesses and public administrations as well as reinforcement and networking of existing AI testing and experimentation facilities in Member States.

The Programme shall build up and strengthen core capacities of Artificial Intelligence and distributed ledger technologies in Europe including data resources and repositories of algorithms and making them accessible by all businesses and public administrations as well as reinforcement and networking of existing AI testing and experimentation facilities in Member States.

Amendment 183Proposal for a regulationAnnex 1 – part 4 – paragraph 1

The Programme shall support easy access to advanced digital skills, notably in HPC, AI, distributed ledgers (e.g. blockchain) and cybersecurity for the current and future labour force by offering students, recent graduates, and existing workers, wherever they are situated, with the means to acquire and develop these skills.

The Programme shall support easy access and training opportunities in advanced digital skills, notably in HPC, AI, distributed ledgers (e.g. blockchain) and cybersecurity for the current and future labour force by offering students, recent graduates or citizens of all ages in need of upskilling, jobseekers and existing workers, wherever they are situated, with the means to acquire and develop these skills.

1. Access to on the job training by taking part in traineeships in competence centres and companies deploying advanced technologies.

1. Access to on the job training and blended learning opportunities by taking part in traineeships in competence centres and companies deploying advanced technologies.

Amendment 185Proposal for a regulationAnnex 1 – part 4 – paragraph 4

All interventions will be designed and implemented primarily through the Digital Innovation Hubs, as defined in Article 15.

All interventions will be designed and implemented primarily through the Digital Innovation Hubs, as defined in Article 16.

Amendment 186Proposal for a regulationAnnex 1 – part 5 – subpart I – point 1 – point 1.2

1.2. Support the design, piloting, deployment, maintenance and promotion of a coherent eco-system of cross-border digital services infrastructure and facilitate seamless end-to-end, secure, interoperable, multi-lingual, interoperable cross-border or cross-sector solutions and common frameworks within public administration. Methodologies for assessing the impact and benefits shall also be included.

1.2. Support the design, piloting, deployment, maintenance, expansion and promotion of a coherent eco-system of cross-border digital services infrastructure and facilitate seamless end-to-end, secure, interoperable, multi-lingual, interoperable cross-border or cross-sector solutions and common frameworks within public administration. Methodologies for assessing the impact and benefits shall also be included.

Amendment 187Proposal for a regulationAnnex 1 – part 5 – subpart I – point 2 – point 2.1

2.1. Ensure that EU citizens can access, share, use, and manage their personal health data securely across borders irrespective of their location or the location of the data. Complete the eHealth Digital Service Infrastructure and extend it by new digital services, support deployment of the European exchange format for electronic health records.

2.1. Ensure that EU citizens can access, share, use, and manage their personal health data securely and in a way that guarantees their privacy across borders irrespective of their location or the location of the data. Complete the eHealth Digital Service Infrastructure and extend it by new digital services, support deployment of the European exchange format for electronic health records.

Amendment 188Proposal for a regulationAnnex 1 – part 5 – subpart I – point 3

3. Judiciary: Enable seamless and secure cross-border electronic communication within the judiciary and between the judiciary and other competent bodies in the area of civil and criminal justice. Improve access to justice and juridical information and procedures to citizens, businesses, legal practitioners and members of the judiciary with semantically interoperable interconnections to national databases and registers as well as facilitating the out-of-court dispute resolution online. Promote the development and implementation of innovative technologies for courts and legal practitioners based on artificial intelligence solutions which are likely to streamline and speed-up procedures (for example “legal tech” applications).

3. Judiciary: Enable seamless and secure cross-border electronic communication within the judiciary and between the judiciary and other competent bodies in the area of civil and criminal justice. Improve access to justice and juridical information and procedures to citizens, businesses, legal practitioners and members of the judiciary with semantically interoperable interconnections to databases and registers as well as facilitating the out-of-court dispute resolution online. Promote the development and implementation of innovative technologies for courts and legal practitioners based on artificial intelligence solutions which are likely to streamline and speed-up procedures (for example “legal tech” applications).

Amendment 189Proposal for a regulationAnnex 1 – part 5 – subpart I – point 4

4. Transport, energy and environment: Deploy decentralised solutions and infrastructures required for large-scale digital applications such as smart cities or smart rural areas in support of transport, energy and environmental policies.

4. Transport, energy and environment: Deploy decentralised solutions and infrastructures required for large-scale digital applications such as smart cities, smart rural areas or outermost regions in support of transport, energy and environmental policies.

4.2b Number of students, recent graduates and unemployed that have improved their status after training provided in the framework of the programme.

Amendment 196Proposal for a regulationAnnex 2 – part 5 – point 5.1

5.1 Take-up of digital public services

5.1 Frequency of take-up of digital public services

Amendment 197Proposal for a regulationAnnex 2 – part 5 – point 5.2

5.2 Enterprises with high digital intensity score

5.2 Number of enterprises with high digital intensity score

Amendment 198Proposal for a regulationAnnex 2 – part 5 – point 5.3

5.3 Alignment of the National Interoperability Framework with the European Interoperability Framework

5.3 Extent of alignment of the National Interoperability Framework with the European Interoperability Framework

Amendment 199Proposal for a regulationAnnex 3 – point 1 – point b a (new)

(ba) Digital Europe Programme shall actively create synergies with Horizon Europe around the sustainability of data originating from research projects;

Amendment 200Proposal for a regulationAnnex 3 – point 1 – point c

(c) Digital Europe will invest in (i) digital capacity building in High Performance Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and advanced digital skills; and (ii) national and regional deployment within an EU framework of digital capacities and the latest digital technologies in areas of public interest (such as health, public administration, justice and education) or market failure (such as the digitisation of businesses, notably small and medium enterprises);

(c) Digital Europe will invest in (i) digital capacity building in High Performance Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and advanced digital skills; and (ii) national, regional and local deployment within an EU framework of digital capacities and the latest digital technologies in areas of public interest (such as health, public administration, justice and education) or market failure (such as the digitisation of businesses, notably small and medium enterprises);

Amendment 201Proposal for a regulationAnnex 3 – point 3 – point c

(c) Digital Europe will invest in (i) digital capacity building in High Performance Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and advanced digital skills; and (ii) national and regional deployment within an EU framework of digital capacities and the latest digital technologies in areas of public interest (such as health, public administration, justice and education) or market failure (such as the digitisation of businesses, notably small and medium enterprises);

(c) Digital Europe will invest in (i) digital capacity building in High Performance Computing, Artificial Intelligence, distributed ledger technology, Cybersecurity and advanced digital skills; and (ii) national and regional deployment within an EU framework of digital capacities and the latest digital technologies in areas of public interest (such as health, public administration, justice and education) or market failure (such as the digitisation of businesses, notably small and medium enterprises);